During the month of May alone, there were on average 23 cyber-attacks on governments computers every single day.

Figures released by the Viet Nam Computer Emergency Response Team (VNCERT) under the Ministry of Information and Communications revealed 739 intrusions during the month.

Most were attacks to interface change, accounting for more than 57 per cent of the total.

It discovered 28 warning emails to State administrative agencies to require them to resolve incidents and act fast.

Most attacks tried to collect information, violate information security policy, and attacks related to malicious code.

Another report from Authority of Information Security (AIS) revealed many Vietnamese websites in network space (including website using servers in foreign countries) were attacked affecting information security such as spam, service denial, install and distributing malicious codes, taking advantage of gaps in web browsers.

As of May 20, there were 287 phishing cases - the form of attacking websites, phishing emails, impersonating organisations or reputable companies to trick users into stealing sensitive information, such as account, password or information about users’ credit card types.

AIS said the number of IP addresses in Viet Nam located in ghost computer networks was 857,927 in May, a 37.57 per cent compared to previous months.

With the number of addresses located in networks, computers connected to the internet are compromised by hackers, viruses, trojan software and remotely controlled by hackers, as well as being used for other dangerous purposes.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has implemented Directive No 14 /CT-TTg on strengthening network security to improve Viet Nam's ranking index.

The directive said that in the past, the legal corridor of network security in Viet Nam has been gradually improved. However, the guidance on the implementation of laws on network security, protection of personal information, child protection in the network environment and sanctions for handling violations has still been incomplete. The construction and issuance of standards and technical regulations in the field of network information security have not met practical needs.

It was the reason that in 2018 and early 2019, there were some intentional cyber-attacks, stealing State secrets, causing serious consequences. Therefore, Viet Nam's ranking in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) of the International Telecommunication Union was not high. According to the unofficial ranking in March 2019 (for the period 2017-18), Viet Nam ranked 50 out of 194 countries and territories and 5 out of 11 in Southeast Asia.

The PM requested that in the future, State agencies, organisations and enterprises should find solutions to ensure overall network security and contribute to improving Viet Nam's ranking.

He asked to prioritise the use of domestic enterprises' products, solutions and services to meet requirements on network security according to law provisions for grade 3 or higher information systems for e-Government service.

Functional agencies must also ensure the percentage of funding for network information security products and services reaches at least 10 per cent of the total budget for the implementation of annual information technology application plans. — VNS